One death has been confirmed by the local police authorities, but Roman Catholic Brazilian priest José Vergílio, which is aiding the victims, said that at least seven people died,[1][3] vehicles and houses were burned and stores owned by Chinese were plundered.[4] According to the Surinamese government, 20 women were raped, one of which was pregnant and lost her baby in the trauma.[1][5]

At least 24 people were injured during the riots.[6] The injured were transported to a military hospital, while the Brazilians living in Albina were transferred to Paramaribo.[6] Brazilians and Chinese living in the region have been evacuated.[3] According to eyewitnesses, 17 people are missing.[1]

The Brazilian government sent a diplomatic mission on December 27, 2009 to attend the Brazilian victims.[7] Five Brazilians returned to Brazil on December 27 on an airplane of the Brazilian Air Force.[8] On December 28, an airplane with capacity for 40 people was sent to the city with the purpose of rescuing more Brazilians.[8] The Surinamese government sent in troops to conduct searches and keep the peace, although violence is over by all accounts.[1] Suriname officials have come out saying they have the forces to protect all foreigners in the country and have already taken several people into custody for questioning.[1] 35 suspects were arrested on December 28, according to the city's chief of police, Krishna Mathoera-Hussainali.[8]

There are between 15,000 and 18,000 Brazilian nomad gold diggers in Suriname, or about 4% of the total population of the country, most of them living illegally.[1] They are some of the poorest people in Brazil, mostly from the Northeast Region.[1]

Tensions in gold prospecting villages like Albina are not sporadic, but violence is quite uncommon.[1] Gold diggers often come in conflict with indigenous people in their search to find and extract gold from remote areas.[1]